Towel/tissue holder and dispenser with refill indicator

ABSTRACT

A towel/tissue holder and dispenser cover with a manual or auto refill indicator is described. An indicator piece on a tissue roll cover rotates to a more stable position along an axis mounted on the cover when inadequate volume of tissue, wet towel or drying towel is remaining on the hanger. The visual difference between the two sides of the indication piece serves as a visual alert of for refill/replacement of the roll of towel. The indicator piece is on the tissue cover and can be flipped manually or automatically by design. An indicator piece is fixed on an easily visible surface of a dispenser, and can be pushed/flipped open to show a warning sign of low or no supply of tissue roll, paper towel or dry towel.

DESCRIPTION RELATIVE TO THE PRIOR ART

The present device and method relate to the field of auto indicators when towels and tissues are running low or out, including toilet paper, wet towels, and paper towel rolls on a holder or a dispenser.

This present device and method are more specifically applicable to toilet paper, wet towels, or paper towel rolls on a holder or a dispenser for public or household use.

A typical roll of toilet paper, wet towels, or paper towels on a holder or a dispenser is shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, the holder or dispenser is comprised of a toilet paper, wet towel, or paper towel roll body 1 and a hanger body 2.

In many cases, a cover is combined with a holder or dispenser. The cover used for the protection of a toilet paper, wet towel or paper towel roll is shown in FIG. 2; the holder or a dispenser comprising a toilet paper, wet towel or paper towel roll is shown as body 1, a hanger as body 2 and a cover as body 3.

When using toilet paper, wet towel or paper towel from the holder or dispenser, people hold one end of the toilet paper, wet towel or paper towel roll, draw it away from the holder or dispenser, then tear a certain length as they wish. The roll is getting smaller when it is used, and it needs to be replaced by a new roll when the toilet paper, wet towel or paper towel roll is used or almost used. If it is not replaced or refilled in time, inconvenience will arise when a user finds out there is not adequate supply on the holder or dispenser.

One solution to avoid the inconvenience is to store sufficient rolls of toilet paper, wet towel or paper towel near the location where the user could access. This solution requires storage space near the location with adequate storage room for extra toilet paper, wet towel or paper towel. This may cause clutter and poor visual presentations in public places, such as a restaurant, a hotel and a conference center. Another solution is to have a person monitoring the toilet paper, wet towel or paper towel supply constantly. In the case where there is a cover on the holder or a dispenser like in FIG. 2, this person needs to lift the cover to check amount of toilet paper, wet towel or paper towel left on the holder or dispenser. This solution requires labor resource and may not be effective in high traffic situation such as at a public event when toilet paper, wet towel or paper towel are consumed at a faster pace.

Specifically, in a public rest room where there are multiple toilets, done of stalls has a low or no toilet paper supply situation, the user should be able to go to the other stall with sufficient supply. When there is no indictor for low/no toilet tissue, the user may very likely not aware of this situation and only notice afterwards.

One method proposed to solve this problem is to introduce a sensor to a toilet paper holder or dispenser (http://arduino.stackexchange.com/questions/564/how-to-trigger-an-alarm-when-toilet-paper-is-low). However, the need to incorporate electronic pieces and use of a battery make this devise much more expensive for the consumers. Besides, low or no supply of toilet paper may not be accurately indicated when the sensor runs out of battery. Hardwire of the electronic indictor will require additional work of remodeling of a wall to bring electric wires or an outlet close to the device.

The present device and method provide a simple, automatic and electric free way of providing a warning sign when toilet paper, wet towel or paper towel roll is running low on a holder or a dispenser.

SUMMARY OF THE DEVICE AND METHOD

The objective of the present device and method is to provide a device and means of providing an automatic or manual warning sign when toilet paper, wet towel or paper towel roll is running low on a holder or a dispenser.

In accordance with one aspect of the device and method, a toilet paper, wet towel or paper towel holder or a dispenser includes a hanger, a toilet paper, and a wet towel or paper towel cover.

In accordance with a second aspect of the device and method, the cover has an opening.

In accordance with a third aspect of the device and method, the opening can be of various of sizes and shapes.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the device and method, the opening can be at various locations on the cover, such as center, sides, top, bottom or edges.

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the device and method, the opening is covered by another piece or called indicator piece.

In accordance with a sixth aspect of the device and method, the indicator piece covering the opening can be made of different materials, such as metal or plastic.

In accordance with a seventh aspect of the device and method, the indicator piece covering the opening can be transparent or opaque.

In accordance with a eighth aspect of the device and method, the indicator piece covering the opening can be of various colors and or shapes.

In accordance with a ninth aspect of the device and method, the indicator piece covering the opening is visually different between its two sides, for example, different colors, with words on one side and no word on the other, and with sign on one side and no sign on the other.

In accordance with a tenth aspect of the device and method, the color of the indicator piece covering the opening can be the same or different from the cover.

In accordance with an eleventh aspect of the device and method, the indicator piece covering the opening can rotate along an axis.

In accordance with a twelfth aspect of the device and method, the indicator piece covering the opening holds one side position when there is sufficient amount of toilet paper, wet towel or paper towel on a holder or a dispenser.

In accordance with a thirteenth aspect of the device and method, the indicator piece covering the opening can be manually flipped to the other side position along the axis when there is insufficient amount of toilet paper, wet towel or paper towel on a holder or a dispenser.

In accordance with fourteenth aspect of the device and method, there is no opening on a toilet paper, wet towel or paper towel on a holder or a dispenser. In this case, the indicator piece is mounted on the cover or dispenser.

In accordance with fifteenth aspect of the device and method, where there is no opening on a toilet paper, wet towel or paper towel on a holder or a dispenser, and the indicator piece is mounted on the cover or dispenser, the indicator piece can be manually flipped open.

In accordance with sixteenth aspect of the device and method, where there is no opening on a toilet paper, wet towel or paper towel on a holder or a dispenser, and the indicator piece is mounted on the cover or dispenser, the back side of the indicator piece has a different color from the cover or dispenser main body, or has a sign(s) or words. When the indicator piece is flipped open, the visual difference of the back side can be easily observed.

In accordance with seventeenth aspect of the device and method, where there is no opening on a toilet paper, wet towel or paper towel on a holder or a dispenser, and the indicator piece is mounted on the cover or dispenser, the space which is covered by the indicator piece and the back side of the indicator piece are combined to create a visual difference from the holder or dispenser main body. When the indicator piece is flipped open, the visual difference of the space covered plus the back side of the indicator piece can be easily observed.

In accordance with an eighteenth aspect of the device and method, people will observe the warning sign of the different color, pattern, or words form the back/other side of the indicator piece covering the opening or no opening on the cover or dispenser.

In accordance with a nineteenth aspect of the device and method, people will look for a new roll of towel or inform a maintenance worker for a refill when the indictor is on.

In accordance with a twentieth aspect of the device and method, the indicator piece can be returned to its original position after a refill is complete.

In accordance with a twenty first aspect of the device and method, the cover and indicator piece covering the opening can be detached from the hanger and thus replaced by new ones when needed.

In accordance with a twenty second aspect, the device and method in the present patent can be used in for examples but not limited to toilet paper, cleaning towel, wet towel, drying towel, and any other cleaning or drying towel rolls on a holder or a dispenser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other characteristics of the device and method will become apparent from the description thereof for automatically showing that a tissue or towel roll needs a refill or replacement with reference to, but not limited to, embodiments described below; in which

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a prior art of a paper towel holder with a roll of paper towel on the holder or a dispenser.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a prior art a paper towel holder with a roll of paper towel on the holder, and a cover to protect the paper towel.

FIG. 3 depicts a paper towel cover with an indicator opening in the middle.

FIG. 4 depicts an indicator piece that can rotate along an axis. The sides of the rotating piece have different colors, e.g. one side is light colored and the other is dark colored. In the case when the cover is light colored, the darker colored side is called the indicator side.

FIG. 5 depicts the indicator piece with the dark side facing inside. The indictor piece does not rotate when the tissue roll has an adequate volume on the hanger.

FIG. 6 depicts the indicator piece with the ability to rotate along, the axis in one direction when the top is crafted to be heavier than the bottom. When it rotates, the indicator side will flip to outside.

FIG. 7 depicts the indicator piece can rotate when the tissue roll reaches certain low level on the hanger.

FIG. 8 depicts the indicator piece is stopped as it is longer that the opening.

FIG. 9 depicts the indicator piece is stopped at a position with the dark colored or the indicator side is now facing outside.

FIG. 10 depicts the opening on the cover with a different color from the cover, which will serve as a warning sign when tissue roll is getting low on the hanger and a refill or replacement is required.

FIG. 11 depicts a various designs with variable sizes, locations and shapes of the indicator piece. Multiple pieces on cover is possible to meet design requirement.

FIG. 12 depicts an indicator piece that is mounted on the front of a paper towel dispenser.

FIG. 13 depicts an indicator piece when flipped open. The covered space and the back side of the indicator piece serve as the warning sign for low or no supply of tissue roll.

FIG. 14 depicts various designs with variable sizes, locations and shapes of the indicator piece. Multiple pieces on dispenser are also possible to meet design requirement.

FIG. 15 depicts various paper towels, wet towel and dry towel dispensers with an indicator on them based on the prior art described in this patent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 5, a new roll of paper towel is placed on the hanger body 2. The indicator piece body 5 is in a position that the side with a light color or a color similar to the color of the cover facing outside. Because there is an adequate volume of tissue roll on the hanger, the indicator piece is holding on a normal position (indicator side facing the towel) and can't rotate clockwise.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the indicator piece may be made of the same or different material of the cover. It also can be made from transparent material, e.g. plastic, so users can see through. The axis body 6 is mounted on of the cover. The top of the indicator piece is crafted in a way that the top is heavier than the bottom so the top prefers to rotate down. Another mechanism to let the top portion has the tendency to rotate down is to move the axis body 6 slightly lower than half way in rotating piece body 5.

Referring now to FIG. 7, when the tissue roll is low in volume, eventually the indicator piece will become free to rotate clockwise.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the indicator piece is stopped at the position where the darker colored side or indicator side is now facing outside. The different color on the indicator side combined with additional pattern or words serve as a visual warning sign that a new roll of tissue is needed.

Referring now to FIG. 5, refilling a roll of paper towel will bring the indicator piece back 20 to its starting position where the indicator side is facing inside. At this point, the warning sign is off when it is facing inside and can't be visually observed.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the indicator piece body 7 is a half circle and is being pushed open. The covered space and the back side of the indicator piece serve as a visual warning sign for low or no supply of tissue roll. 

1. A paper towel holder or dispenser with a refill indicator comprising: a) a paper towel hanger, and b) as paper towel cover c) an opening on the cover d) an indicator piece covers the opening e) the indicator piece rotates along an axis which is mounted on the cover
 2. The tissue roll holder or dispenser with a refill indicator of claim 1 (b), wherein the cover may be lifted up during tissue roll replacement and put down in close contact with tissue roll after replacement.
 3. The tissue roll holder or dispenser with a refill indicator of claim 1 (c), wherein the opening on the cover may be of various sizes, locations and shapes.
 4. The tissue roll holder or dispenser with a refill indicator of claim 1 (d), wherein the indicator piece on the cover may be of various sizes, locations and shapes.
 5. The tissue roll holder or dispenser with a refill indicator of claim 1 (d), wherein the indicator piece on the cover may cover the entire or partial portion of opening, on the cover.
 6. The tissue roll holder or dispenser with a refill indicator of claim 1 (d), wherein the indicator piece on the cover ma be made of the same or different material of the cover.
 7. The tissue roll holder or dispenser with a refill indicator of claim 1 (d), wherein the indicator piece on the cover must have visual difference between two sides. The visual difference may be created by different colors, patterns, words, signs and others.
 8. The tissue roll holder or dispenser with a refill indicator of claim 1 (d), wherein the indicator piece on the cover may rotate along an axis mounted on the cover.
 9. The tissue roll holder or dispenser with a refill indicator of claim 1 (d), wherein the indicator piece on the cover may rotate along the axis 180 degrees or 360 degrees.
 10. The tissue roll holder or dispenser with a refill indicator of claim 1 (d), wherein the rotation of the indicator piece on the cover can be initiated manually or automatically by design.
 11. The tissue roll holder or dispenser with a refill indicator of claim 1 (d), wherein the home position of the indicator is the side with the same or similar color and pattern as the cover facing outside; while the side with a different color, pattern, warning sign, or words, also called indicator side, facing inside.
 12. The tissue roll holder or dispenser with a refill indicator of claim 1 (d), wherein the “indicator on” position of the indicator is the side with the same or similar color and pattern as the cover facing inside; while the side with a different color, pattern, warning sign, or words, also called indicator side, facing outside.
 13. In claim 11, the home position of the indicator piece is the starting position when a new roll of tissue is put on the hanger. The starting position is held unchanged when there is adequate volume of tissue on the hanger.
 14. In claim 12, the “indicator on” position of the indicator piece is when the indicator piece rotating away from its starting position when tissue volume is low.
 15. The tissue roll holder or dispenser with a refill indicator of claim 1 (d), wherein the indicator piece on the cover is crafted heavier on the top than bottom, or unevenly mounted on the axis so it tends to rotate to a more stable position.
 16. In claim 11, the home position of the indicator piece or the starting position is usually an unstable position of the indicator piece. It tends to rotate away to a more stable position.
 17. In claim 12, the “indicator on” position of the indicator piece is usually a stable position for the indicating piece.
 18. In claim 16, the home position of the indicator piece or the starting position is held when there is adequate volume of tissue.
 19. In claim 17, the “indicator on” position of the indicator piece is when the indictor rotating to a stable position when tissue volume low.
 20. In claim 1, there is no opening, and the indicator piece is mounted on the surface of a hold or dispenser. When the indicator piece is pushed or flipped open, the open space and the back side of the indicator piece form a visual sign for low or no tissue. 